Non-foaming self-cleaning automatic beverage dispenser



1957 c. s. CARLISI ETAL 2,810,407

NON-FOAMING SELF-CLEANING AUTOMATIC BEVERAGE DISPENSER Filed D60. 1,1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 m 6 0- BY /VTOR/VEY Oct. 22, 1957 c. s. CARLISIETAL 2,810,407

NON-FOAMING SELF-CLEANING AUTOMATIC BEVERAGE DISPENSER Filed D90. 1,1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 --Ia l CA/P/I/[A/S cm/s/ INVENTORS 84- 84o 214584* 100/5 KA/[R A 7TOR/VEV Oct. 22, 1957 c. s. CARLISI ETAL 2,810,407

NON-FOAMING SELF-CLEANING AUTOMATIC BEVERAGE DISPENSER Filed Dec. 1,1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 l 1 1082/ 110 114 1 m 0/ J C;

104 D/SCH/l R65 PLA TFORM T/MER M OTOR Bf VERA GE '6 8 '106 L1 0/50/71sas/w/o G4/QA/E/V 5. CA/QA/S/ INVENTORS LOU/5 KL A? BY jam/,1 6 7nd477'0/P/VEY Oct. 22, 1957 c. s. CARLlSl ETAL 2,

NON-FOAMING SELF-CLEANING AUTOMATIC BEVERAGE DISPENSER Filed Dec. 1,1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 10* T/MfR /136 CAR/14F N S. CARL /5/ INVENTORS[00/6 KA/E; 3

BY 477'o R/veY United States Patent NON-FOAIVIING SELF-CLEANINGAUTOMATIC BEVERAGE DISPENSER Carmen S. Carlisi and Louis Klier, LaGrange, 111.; said Klier assignor to said Carlisi Application December1, 1955, Serial No. 550,295

8 Claims. (Cl. 141-90) almost unlimited. The problems involved inproviding practical machines for the dispensing of beverages varyconsiderably with the nature of the beverage dispensed.

One problem encountered in dispensing certain beverages, such as beer orbeer-like beverages, is the formation of an undesirable quantity of foamas the beverage is discharged into the cup. This condition is causedchiefly by the substantial drop of the beverage from the dispensingfaucet to the bottom of the cup. During this drop the beverage isexposed to the air and, on striking the bottom of the cup, or thebeverage already in the cup, more air is mixed in with the fallingbeverage. The excessive accumulation of air during discharge of thebeverage causes the undesirable foaming to occur.

In present machines the beverage discharge pipe must be high enough toclear the cup. This makes a drop of at least the height of the cupinevitable. Additionally, in machines where the cup is gravity fed fromthe dispenser a greater clearance is necessary to permit the cup to dropinto place from a magazine located at one side of the beveragedispensing pipe.

In the machine of the present invention there is provided a dispensingmechanism which materially reduces the formation of foam as the beverageis discharged into the cup. The drop of the beverage from the dispensingfaucet to the bottom of the cup is reduced to a fraction of the heightof the cup. This is accomplished by providiug means to bring the cup anddischarging faucet into telescopic relationship as the beverage isdispensed into the cup.

In brief, in the preferred embodiment of the invention here shown abeverage dispensing faucet with a depending skirt is provided. A cupplatform vertically movable between a down posit-ion and an up positionis located below the faucet. The platformwhich is carried by a verticalrod extending downwardly through a bearing-is actuated by motor drivencam means on which the rod rides. An inclined chute is provided to guidecups from the cup container to the cup platform when it is in the downposition. When the cup platform is in the up position with a cup inplace, the cup is telescoped over the skirt on the dispensing pipe orfaucet and the bottom of the cup is adjacent the bottom of the skirt. Apipe ring having discharge outlets and a valve is provided to cleansethe inner surface of the skirt with water after the beverage has beendispensed and the cup removed. The valve in the dispensing faucet, thedischarge mechanism in the cup container, the platform motor and thewater valve in the pipe ring, are electrically,

operated. A timer actuates switches to energize these fiatented Oct. 22,1957 ice parts in sequence to discharge the cup, lift the platform, anddischarge the beverage. A switch responsive to the operation of a dooradjacent the cup platform actuates the skirt cleansing mechanism. 7

In operation the timer motor is energized by the insertion of a coin inthe beverage dispensing'machine, The cycle of operation begins with thedischarge from the cup container of a cup which slides down the cupchute to the cup platform. 'At this time the platform is elevated fromthe down position, where it received the cup, to the up position wherethe platform holds the cup in telescopic relationship with the beveragefaucet. The beverage is then discharged into the cup and the platformdescends to the down position. In this position the full cup can beconveniently removed from the machine when the door adjacent theplatform'is raised. After removal of the cup the door drops and waterfrom the pipe ring is sprayed over the inner surface of the faucet skirtto cleanse the skirt and valve mechanism.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide adevice which will automatically dispense beverage without foaming.

It is another object of the present invention to provide automaticdispensing mechanism where the vertical drop of the beverage to thecontainer is small in relation to the cup height. g

It is still another object of the present invention to provide adispensing mechanism which permits discharge of the beverage with "thecup in telescopic relation to the beverage discharge pipe or faucet. V

It is yet another object of "the present invention to provide anautomatic beverage dispenser wherein the discharge pipe or faucet isautomatically cleansed after each use.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide abeverage dispensing'machine in which the cup is automatically elevatedto receive the 'b'everage and lowered to permit its insertion andwithdrawal.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide abeverage dispensing machine having an automatic, coordinated cycle ofoperation in which the beverage is' dispensed without foaming and thedischarge skirt is cleansed after each cycle.

Other and further obj'ects of the present invention include theattainment of an automatic beverage dispensing device which is simple inconstruction, reliable in operation, permits use of a simplecup'discharge chute,

achieves washing action without interfering withthe normal use of theapparatus by a patron, and utilizes'a jet washing mechanism that doesnot interfere with otherv parts of the mechanism;

The novel features which we believe to be characteristic of ourinvention are set forth with particularity in the ap'pendedclaimsl Ourinvention itself, however, both as to its organization and method ofoperation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, willbest be understood by reference to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Figure l is asideelevational view of the dispensing mechanism of a beverage dispensingmachine;

Figure 2 is a view through section 22 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a viewthrough section 3-3 of Figure 1; Figure 4 isa view through section 4-4of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a wiring diagram of the beverage vendingmachine;

Figure 6 is a view of the timer motor showing its rotating cams 'and theswitches they control; g Figure7 is a view of theplatform motor showingthe cam operated seal-in switch and the platform actuating cam;

Figure-'8 shows the circuit diagram of the Water discharge mechanism;

Figure 9 shows the water discharge timer motor with the rotating camsand the switches they control when the beverage removal door is closed;

Figure 10 shows the cams and switches of Figure 9 when the beverageremoval door is open; and

Figure 11 is a view from the inside of the cabinet showing the beverageremoval door.

The parts relating to the beverage dispensing mechanism of a beveragevending machine are shown in Figure l. The faucet, shown generally at10, has a cylindrical housing 12, having a boss 14, as shown in Figure2. The beverage supply line 18 is received in the boss 14 and isconnected to it by suitable fittings 20. A hole drilled through the bossprovides a port 16 for receipt of the beverage into the faucet housing12. The port 16 opens into an axially aligned cylindrical cavity 22,located in the lower portion of the faucet housing 12, as shown inFigure 1. That part of the housing 12 which forms the walls of thecavity 22 has a lower edge which slopes downwardly and outwardly fromthe cavity to the outer periphery of the housing to form the slopingshoulders 24.

In the upper portion of the housing 12, there is another cylindricalaxial cavity 26, Which connects at its upper end to an internallythreaded bore 28 at the top of the housing. The threaded bore receivesan externally threaded cap 30, having a top surface 31 and a bottomsurface 33. The cap 30 has a centrally disposed axial bore 32. An axialbore 34 having the same diameter as bore 32, connects the lower cavity22 and the upper cavity 26.

A skirt 36, having an inner surface 36a and an outer surface 36b,depends from the bottom of the housing .12. The inner diameter of thecylindrical shaped skirt 36 is greater than the inner diameter of thelower cavity 22 to provide clearance for the operation of the valve 40which seats on the sloping shoulders 24. a

The disc shaped valve 40 has sloping sides 42 to mate with the slopingshoulders 24 connecting the inner cavity 22 with the skirt 36. Anannular groove 44, cut in the sides 42 of the valve, receives a sealingring 46. The valve 40 is carried by a centrally disposed valve stem 48attached normal to the disc shaped valve 40. In operation the valve stemis slideably received in the axial bores 34 of the housing 12 and 32 ofthe cap 30. At the end opposite the valve 40, a head 50 is connected tothe valve stem; The head 50 has a pair of upstanding ears 50a mounted ona base 50b. The cars 50a each have a centrally disposed hole to receivea pin 50c. The base 50b has a centrally disposed hole normal to the baseto receive the upper end of the valve stem 40. A set screw secures thevalve stem in the valve stem head 50. A spring '54 carried by the valvestem 48 is located between the head 50 and the cap 30. At its lower endthe spring 54 seats on the top surface 31 of the cap and at its upperendseats on the base of the head 50. This spring urges the valve stemupwardly in relation to the housing and brings the valve 40 into seatedrelationship with the sloping shoulders 24.

At the bottom of the upper cavity 26 a sealing material 56 is packed andheld in place by washer 58. A spring 60, carried by the valve stem 48between the washer S8 and the lower surface of the cap 33, urges thewasher 58 downwardly to seal off the upper cavity 26 from the lowercavity 22.

The valve 40 is actuated, through the valve stem 48, by a solenoid 68mounted on some suitable structure 64 in the beverage vending machinecabinet. The valve stem, and hence the valve 40, is linked to thesolenoid by means of rocker arm 62. At one end of the rocker arm 62 alug 62a, having a hole to receive a pin,fits between the ears 50a of thevalve stem head 50. The pin 50c extends through the holes in the ears50a and the hole in lug 62a to provide a swivelablejoint for the rockerarm and the valve stem head. A lug 62b, located between the two .bottomand spray its inner surface 36b.

ends of the rocker arm 62, is swivelably connected to a suitablestructure 69 in the housing which provides a fulcrum for the rocker arm62. Another lug 620 at the end of the rocker arm opposite lug 62aswivelably connects with the solenoid slug 66 which is slidably receivedin the solenoid 68.

Located below the faucet assembly is a disc shaped cup platform 70having upwardly sloping sides 70a. The cup platform 70 is carried by arod '72 connected normally to platform at the center point of its lowersurface. A longitudinal groove 74 cut in the bottom of the rod, definestwo legs 76 (see Figure 7). A small roller wheel 8 having an axle pin 82carried in the groove. In operation the roller wheel bears on eccentriccam 134 which is rotated by motor 112 as shown in Figure l.

A rectangular shaped water tray 84 having sides 84a is located below thecup platform 79 as shown in Figures 1' and 4, The bottom of the watertray is divided by the two diagonals into four panels 84/) each of whichslopes downwardly from the sides 84a to the center of the water tray. Adrain channel 84c leads from the center portion of the bottom of thewater tray to a drain (not shown). A circular upstanding flange 84:! islocated' in the center of the water tray. Inside the circular flange 84dis an upstanding sleeve 34@ which slidably receives the rod carrying thecup receiving platform as shown in Figure l. The sleeve 86:: encirclesan opening in the water tray and acts as a bearing for the verticallyslideable rod 72. A circular perforated plate 84f with a centrallylocated hole fits over the center portion of the water tray with itsouter periphery supported by the circular flange 84d and its inner rimsupported by the upstanding sleeve 84c.

A ring 86 made of pipe snugly encircles the circular flange 84a. Thering is connected to the outer edge of the circular .fiange 84a bysuitable clamps 86a. The pipe ring 86 has a plurality of holes 86!)spaced around the ring on its upper side, slightly inboard of thevertical ccnteriine of the pipe. The holes 36b must be positioned adistance off-center so that a stream of water discharged from the pipewill enter the skirt from the Additionally, the diameter of the ringmust be large enough so that the discharged spray will clear the cupreceiving platform when in the down position. The ring is joined by pipe87 to valve 151. The valve 151, in turn, is connected 03/ pipe 89 to asource of water.

Located adjacent to the discharge faucet is a conventional cup container100 which is capable of singly discharging cups 1G1 when the cupdischarge switch 118 is closed. Directly below the cup discharge openingin the cup container 100 is located a cup chute 102. This cup chute 162has an inclined plane 104 which serves to guide the cup from the cupcontainer, under the force of gravity, to the cup receiving platform 70when it is in the down cup receiving position, as shown in Figure 1.

Access to the cup receiving platform by the consumer is attained througha vertically sliding door as shown in Figure 11. The door is slideaolyreceived between two filler strips 93. The door is held in engagementwith thefront of the cabinet by two backing strips 94 mounted on thefiller strips and overlaying the door 92. A switch actuating rod isconnected to the back surface of the door to engage the switch 138 whenthe door is in the down position.

The electrical system for the beverage dispensing mechanismis shown inFigures 5 and 8. As shown in Figure 5, alternating voltage is suppliedto the system from source 104. Timer motor 106 is connected across thesource in series with coin switch 108; A cam operated seal-in switch 119is connected in parallel with switch 108...]The platform motor 112 isconnected across the source, in series with the cam operated switch 114.The

cam operated seal-in switch 116 is connected in parallel with switch114. The electrical components of the cup container and the beveragedischarge solenoid areea ch connected across the source in series,respectively, with cam operated switches 118 and 120.

The method of energizing the cam operated switches is shown in Figure 6.The shaft 122 of timer motor 106 carries and rotates the actuating cams.Cam 124 is aligned with the actuates switch 110. Cam 124 has a smallindentation 124a in its surface which, when aligned with the camfollower 110a on switch 110, permits the biased switch to revert to itsnormally open position. In any other position the cam depresses the camfollower 110a to close the switch 110. Cam 126 has two cars, 126a and126b, 180 apart, which when aligned with the follower 114a on switch114, close the switch. Cam 128, which has a single engaging ear 128a, isaligned with switch 118. The beverage discharging switch 120 is actuatedby cam 130 which has a switch engaging surface 130a spanning an arc ofthe cam determined by the quantity of beverage to be discharged into thecup.

The platform motor 112 has a rotating shaft 113 which carries androtates cams 132 and 134 as shown in Figure 7. The cam 132 has twoindentations 132a and 132!) in its outer surface, spaced 180 apart,which when aligned with the cam follower 116a, allow the switch 116 tosnap to its normal open position. In other positions of the earn theswitch 116 is closed. The cam 134 is eccentrically mounted on the shaft113 and the camming surface bears against roller wheel 80 carried by thecup receiving platform rod 72, as shown.

The circuit which controls the discharge of water from the pipe ring 86is shown in Figure 8. Timer motor 136 is connected across the source ofalternating voltage 104. The double pole single throw switch 138, havingone pole 138a normally open and the other pole 138b nor mally closed, isconnected in series with the timer motor 126 and source 104. Camoperated switches 140 and 142 are interposed between the poles 138a and138b of switch 138, respectively, and source 104. As shown in Figure 9the timer motor 136 has a rotating shaft 137 which carries and rotatescams 146, 148 and 149. Cam 146 has a short indentation 146a in itsperipheral surface which, when aligned with the cam follower 140a ofswitch 140, permits that switch to snap to the open position. In anyother position of the cam 146 the switch 142 is in the closed position.Cam 148 is aligned with switch 142 and has a single peripheral ear 148aor protuberance which, when engaged by the follower 142a on switch 142,throws that switch to the closed position. Cam 149 has a peripheral cambearing surface 149a which engages the detent 151a of water valve 151 topermit the flow of water through the pipe ring 86 when portion 149a ofcam 149 rides over detent 151a.

When a coin is inserted in the coin receiving slot (not shown) of thebeverage vending machine the switch 108 is momentarily energized. Thiscauses the timer motor 106 to begin its revolution and, as shown inFigure 6,

this rotates cam 124 a sufiicient amount to cause switch 110 to beclosed by the camming action. With switch 110 closed the motor 106 willremain energized for a complete revolution even though switch 108 isopened. When the ear 128a on cam 128 engages the follower 118a of switch118, a cup is dispensed from the cup container 100. The cup drops intothe cup chute 102 and slides down the inclined plane 104 under the forceof gravity. At this time the cup receiving platform 70 is in the downposition as shown in Figure 1. The cup drops into the disc shaped cupreceiving platform 70 at an angle but rights itself into an upstandingposition in the center of the platform 70.

At this time one of the ears 12Gb on cam 126, which is rotated by thetimer motor 106, engages the switch 114 as shown in Figure 6. Thiscloses switch-114and temporarily energizes the platform motor 112'. Thiscauses the motor shaft 113 to begin to rotate and turn cam 132-to closeswitch 116 as shown in Figure 7. With the switch 116 closed the motor112 will continue to rotate, even though switch 114 is open, forone-half revolution. This causes the eccentric cam 134 to rotate fromits down position, as shown in Figure 7, to its up position as shown inFigure 1. carries the cup receiving platform 70, bears against thiseccentric cam 134, the cup receiving platform is raised to the upposition. When the cam 134 has rotated 180 to bring the cup receivingplatform to the up position, cam 132-will also have rotated 180 and theindentation 132a will be aligned with follower 116a of switch 116,opening the switch to stop the cup platform motor 112.

At this time the cam 130, carried by the shaft of the timer motor 106,will have rotated a distance to bring protuberance 130a into engagementwith follower 120a to close the switch 120. This energizes the solenoid68 and the slug 66 is drawn up, thereby depressing the valve stem 48(see Figure 1). This drops the valve 40 from contact with the slopingshoulders 24 and beverage which has entered the lower cavity 22 throughthe beverage supply line 18 flows out through the skirt 36. After asufficient quantity of beverage has been dispensed to fill a cup theprotuberance a disengages follower 120a to open the switch 120 and hencedeenergize solenoid 68. The spring 54 then urges the valve stem upwardand the valve is once again brought into sealing relationship with thesloping shoulders 24 to stop the flow of beverage.

At this time the cam 126, carried by the shaft of the timer motor 106,has rotatedto the point where ear 126a closes switch 114 again toenergize the platform motor 112. This momentary energization of motor112 rotates the cam 132 to move the indentation 132a outof alignmentwith the follower 116a to once again close switch 116. This maintainsenergization of motor 112 until the earn 134 has made another halfrevolution. This causes the cup receiving platform to descend to thedown position.

At this time the consumer raises the sliding door in the front of thecabinet to remove his drink. When the sliding door 92 is raised, the arm95 is lifted off the pressure sensitive switch 138 and the switch thenassumes its released position with pole 138a open and pole 138b closed(see Figures 8 and 11). At this time cam 148 is engaged with follower142a on switch 142 to close that switch, as shown in Figure 9. Withswitches 142 and 138b closed the timer motor 136 is energized and cam146 thereby rotated. After a moment of such rotation the follower a ofswitch 140 rides out of notch 146a of earn 146 and follower 142a of cam142 rides off of protuberance 148a of cam 148. This closes switch 140and opens switch 142 to interrupt the circuit to motor 136 and stoprotation thereof. After the consumer has removed his drink from themachine, he allows the door 92 to drop back to the closed positionand'thereby causes arm 95 to bear against the switch 138. This closespole 138a and opens pole 138b. Since switch 140 is at this time closedby reason of the previous conditioning rotation of the timer motor 136that motor is again energized and the shaft 137 rotated. This rotatescam 149 to cause the protruding portion 149a toride on the detent 151aof valve 151 to open that valve. With valve 151'operi, a spray isdischarged from the pipe ring 86 which is 'directed up into the insideof the skirt 36, cleansing the inner surface 36a of the skirt. Becausethe diameter of the pipe ring 86 is larger than the greatest diameter ofthe cup receiving platform 70, the spray of water discharged from thepipe ring up into theskirt clears the cup receiving platform when itisin the down position. As shaft 137 continutes to rotate; the detent 151a rides 01f of the portion 149a to terminate the spray action. Thetimer motor 136. continues to rotate'until follower 140a rides into thegroove 146a to open switch 140 and interrupt the motor energizingcircuit. Since Since the rod 72, which at this time the sliding door isin the down position pole 138a is closed and pole 138i; is open to stopthe motor 136.

While we have shown and described specific embodiments of the presentinvention it will, of course, be evident that various modifications andalternative constructions may be made without departing from the truespirit and scope thereof.

Specifically the actuation of the beverage discharge valve and the Waterdischarge valve may be achieved by other means so long as theiractuation is coordinated in the operational cycle.

We therefore intend by the appended claims to cover all suchmodifications and alternative constructions as come within their truespirit and scope.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

1. In a machine to dispense beverage automatically into cups andautomatically cleansed by water from a source, the combination of: afaucet having an electrically operable discharge valve and a dependingskirt within which beverage is discharged; a cup platform located belowand in registration with the faucet, the platform carried by a dependingrod coaxial with the faucet; electrically operated means to dischargecups singly onto said platform; a tray below the cup platform having anopening to slideably receive the rod; a motor'driven eccentric cam belowthe tray in engagement with the end of the rod to move the cup platformbetween an up position to sustain a cup in telescopic relation to theskirt and a down position to hold the cup in cleared position inrelation to the skirt; a pipe ring connected to the source of water andhaving a plurality of discharge openings on its upper surface, the pipering being located below and coaxial with the skirt; timer control meansto operate the dispensing mechanism in a sequence of operationscomprising discharge of the cup from the container onto the cupplatform, elevation of the platform to its up position, discharge of thebeverage from the discharge valve, and descent of the platform to thedown position; and means responsive to the removal of the cup from thecup platform to discharge streams of water momentarily from the pipering onto the inner surface of the skirt to cleanse the same.

2, In a machine to dispense beverage automatically into cups andautomatically cleansed by water from a source, the combination of: afaucet having an electrically operable discharge valve and a dependingskirt Within which beverage is discharged; a vertically movable cupplatform below the faucet and adapted to hold cups in registeredrelation to the skirt; electrically operated means to discharge cupssingly onto said platform; electrically driven cam operated means tovertically move the cup platform between an up position to sustain a cupin telescopic relation to the skirt and a down position to hold the cupin cleared position in relation to the skirt; means connected to thesource of water to discharge a stream of water over the inner surface ofthe skirt to cleanse the same; timer control means to operate thedispensing mechanism in a sequence of operations'comprising discharge ofthe cup from the container onto the cup platform, elevation of theplatform to its up position, discharge of the beverage from thedischarge valve, and descent of the platform to the down position; andmeans responsive to the removal of the cup from the cup platform toactuate the water discharge means momentarily.

3. In a machine to dispense beverage automatically into cups andautomatically cleansed by water from a source, the combination of: meansdefining a discharge valve for the beverage; skirt means depending fromthe first means to confine discharging beverage; a cup platform locatedin vertically movable position and adapted in up position to sustain acup in telescopic relation to the skirt and in down position to hold thecup in cleared position in relation to the skirt; means operable to liftthe cup to up position when beverage is discharged from the valve; andmeans connected to the source of Water operable to momentarily direct aflow of water onto the inner surface of the skirt after discharge of thebeverage.

4. In a machine to dispense beverage automatically into cups, thecombination of: a faucet having an electrically operable discharge valveand a depending skirt; a vertically movable cup platform below thefaucet; electrically operated means to discharge cups singly onto saidplatform; electrically driven cam operated means to vertically move thecup platform between an up position to sustain a cup in telescopicrelation to the skirt and a down position to holdthe cup in clearedposition in relation to the skirt; and control means to operate thedispensing mechanism in a four .part cycle comprising discharge of thecup from the container onto the cup platform, elevation of the platformto its up position, discharge of the beverage from the discharge valve,and descent of the platform to the down position.

5. In a beverage dispensing machine, beverage dispensing mechanismcomprising in combination: means defining a discharge valve for thebeverage; skirt means depending from the first means; a verticallymovable cup platform located below said first means; means to dischargecups singly onto said platform; means to vertically move the cupreceiving platform between an up position to sustain a cup in telescopicrelation to the skirt and a down position to hold the cup in clearedposition in relation to the skirt; and means to operate the dispensingmechanism in a four part cycle comprising discharge of the cup from thecontainer onto the cup receiving platform, elevation of the platform toits up position, discharge of the beverage from the discharge valve, anddescent of the platform to the down position.

6. In a beverage vending machine having a beverage discharge valve whichdispenses beverage in a cup to a consumer, and a source of fluid, adevice to cleanse the valve comprising in combination: a pipe having aplurality of discharge holes; means connecting the pipe to the source offluid; a valve in said means to control the flow of fluid in said pipe;and elements responsive to the removal of the cup of beverage by theconsumer to actuate the valveand momentarily to discharge fluid from thepipe and direct a stream of cleansing fluid onto the beverage dischargevalve.

7. In a machine to dispense beverage having a beverage discharge valve,an access door through which the beverage is removed by the consumerfrom the machine, and a source of cleansing fluid, a cleansing device toremove the beverage from the beverage discharge valve comprising incombination: a pipe having a plurality of discharge holes; meansconnecting the pipe to the source of fluid; a valve in said means tocontrol the flow of fluid in the pipe; and elements responsive to themovement of the access door for beverage removal to actuate the valveand momentarily discharge the fluid from the pipe onto. the beveragedischarge valve,

8. A machine to dispense beverages into a cup automatically, comprisingin combination: a platform to receive cups; a beverage discharge valvelocated above and in registration with the platform; means to sprayfluid onto the discharge valve to cleanse residual beverage therefrom;and elements responsive to the removal of the cup from the platform toactuate the fluid sprav means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,435,300 Holmquist Nov. 14, 1922 2,608,335 Rohdin Aug. 26, 19522,653,733 Rudd et al. Sept. 29, 1953

